Average
#261 of 603 schools in MT
Top 43% in state
Shepherd Elementary
Elementary School · Shepherd Elem
Box 8, Shepherd, MT 59079
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shepherd
#1 of 3
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#146 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Shepherd Elem
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Shepherd Elementary
Shepherd Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural town of Shepherd, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 371 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. Shepherd Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Montana schools.
Academically, the school scores an average of 6.9 out of 10 and has 49% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 39% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. These numbers indicate that while there is room for academic growth, Shepherd Elementary focuses on supporting student development. The rural setting of Shepherd provides a close-knit community atmosphere, where students can benefit from personalized attention and strong connections between families and educators.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Shepherd Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Shepherd Elementary — Students at Shepherd Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
How Shepherd Elementary Compares
See how Shepherd Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
Box 8, Shepherd, MT 59079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shepherd Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Billings), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beartooth School (rated 7.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Billings), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pioneer School (rated 6.9/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Billings), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Shepherd, see our Shepherd schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Middle School Shepherd | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Shepherd High School Shepherd | 0.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Pioneer School Billings | 6.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Independent School Billings | 8.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Beartooth School Billings | 9.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Medicine Crow Middle School Billings | 9.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Bitterroot School Billings | 9.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood | 10.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Lockwood Primary Lockwood | 10.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Lockwood Middle School Lockwood | 10.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Lockwood High School Lockwood | 10.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Huntley Project Elem K-6 Worden | 8.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Huntley Project High Schl Worden | 8.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Huntley Project 7-8 Worden | 8.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Bench School Billings | 10.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Sandstone School Billings | 11.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Castle Rock Middle School Billings | 11.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Skyview High School Billings | 11.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Alkali Creek School Billings | 11.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings | 11.8 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,851
Median Home Value
$350,400
Median Rent
$1,516/mo
Population
3,893
College Educated
23.4%
Homeownership
96%
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shepherd Elementary has a median household income of $65,851. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,400, with a median rent of $1,516/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| B A Winans School Livingston, MT | 6.7 |
| Eureka Elementary School Eureka, MT | 6.7 |
| Jefferson School Glendive, MT | 6.7 |
| Poly Drive School Billings, MT | 6.7 |
| Target Range School Missoula, MT | 6.7 |
| Big Sky Elementary Billings, MT | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shepherd Elementary
What grades does Shepherd Elementary serve?
Shepherd Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Shepherd Elementary?
Shepherd Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Elementary is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shepherd Elementary rank in MT?
Shepherd Elementary is ranked #261 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Shepherd Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Shepherd Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Shepherd Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shepherd Elementary has 38.7% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shepherd Elementary a charter school?
No, Shepherd Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shepherd Elementary a Title I school?
No, Shepherd Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shepherd Elementary?
35.6% of students at Shepherd Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (484/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 373-5516
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shepherd Elem- District Enrollment
- 571
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,165
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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